Crystal structure device



Apri! 21, 1959 H. BENJAMIN CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DEVICE Filed Dec. 16, 1955 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

JNVENTOR Hurry Benjamin BY A J/z J:

April 21, 1959 H. BENJAMIN CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DEVICE 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 Fig. 111

Fig.1 E

INVENTOR.

' Hurry Benjamin Znfl United CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DEVICE Harry Benjamin, Marietta, Ohio Application December 16, 1955, Serial No. 553,541

3 Claims. (Cl. 35-18) This invention relates to a device for the representation of crystal structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a device employing a plurality of transparent plates on which bodies are placed or suspended in spaced relationship for representing crystal lattice type structures and to a novel combination and means for securing bodies representing atoms, molecules or ions of crystal structures to transparent plates utilized for suspending same.

In my patent bearing No. 2,716,292, issued August 30, 1955, I have set forth a new apparatus for the representation of crystal structures based upon the utilization of a plurality of spaced transparent plates, each of which has a plurality of openings therein set forth in a geometric pattern in respect to other openings in and between adjacent plates. The concept of representation is based on positioning unit bodies corresponding to ions, atoms or molecules in or about these openings in one manner or another. Although the device has been successful and it is now used extensively for demonstration purposes, there are certain disadvantages thereof which require perfecting.

In general, it is highly desirable to have a minimum number of structural elements separating the respective plates so that ready access to the unit bodies representing the crystalline elements can be attained. Similarly, it is highly desirable to provide plates which are as thin as possible so as to provide ready access to the bodies between the plates and yet it is necessary to have the adequate structural stability to prevent sagging of the plates under the weight of the unit objects between the supporting members. In general, it has been found that a large number of openings are required in each plate to provide adequate scope for representing a plurality of crystals such as would be found in adjacent lattices. As a greater concentration of openings is utilized, a thicker plate is necessary to maintain adequate stability. Accordingly, it has been found that the method of attaching the unit bodies representing the molecules to the plates is important as regards the structural stability of the plate in that smaller openings are preferred for greater stability per unit plate thickness. As proposed in the aforementioned patent, the bodies are positioned on or attached to the plates by such means as placing a spheri cal body in a hole or opening in the plate having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the sphere or by means of a plurality of securing plates. It has been found that the size of the opening in the plate required to fulfill this attachment of the body thereto has necessitated the employment of thicker plates to provide adequate stability thereof between supports. Furthermore, it has been found that the particular attachment means, although generally very satisfactory, are less advantageous in some forms when physical movement of the apparatus is desired, such as the rotation thereof to obtain clear evidence of the crystalline planes. Still further it has been found desirable in many demonstrations to distort the structure and this is not readily accomplished 2 by means of the posts and sleeves utilized for spacing the respective plates as shown in the aforementioned patent.

Accordingly, it is an object of the herein described invention to provide a new means for attaching the bodies representing molecules, atoms or ions to the transparent plates of the crystal structure demonstration device of the type heretofore referred to. Another object is to provide a means for attaching the bodies to the plates such that the strength of the plate is not appreciably impaired. Another object is to provide a means for the placement of bodies representing molecules, ions and atoms on plates of the type defined. Still another object is to provide a method of securing the bodies to the plates of the type defined. Another object is to provide a plate spacing means which will readily facilitate the physical distortion of the apparatus.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing the placement of the spherical bodies on the spaced plates, some parts being broken away to more clearly show the relationship thereof.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of one embodiment of the novel means for attaching the bodies to the plates.

Fig. 3 is still another sectional elevation showing a novel means for attaching of the bodies to the plates, wherein an element is employed under the plate to fixedly position the body thereto.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the element shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is another embodiment showing in sectional elevation another means for fixedly securing the bodies to the plates.

Fig. 6 is another sectional elevation showing a novel attachment means for securing the spacing sleeves between adjacent plates to the plates.

Fig. 7 is another sectional elevation showing the displacement of the elements utilized for the securing of the placement sleeves when physical distortions of the crystal structure representing device takes place.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown schematically a type of crystal representation device having a plurality of plates 1 which are spaced apart by means of members 2, preferably sleeves of the type hereinafter described. Surface support members 3 are shown which may be substantially of the same construction as the sleeves 2. It will be noted that each plate has a plurality of openings 4 or holes therein which are spaced apart from one another in the same plate in a geometric pattern as well as being further spaced apart from holes in adjacent plates in a geometric pattern. Thus the centers of the holes are geometrically spaced one from the other in the resepective plate and between the plates in a three-dimensional pattern such as would accomplish the desired result. Bodies 5 having a socket 6 into which a resilient helical winding 7 is fixedly engaged are shown as positioned in some of the openings 4 as, for example, openings 8.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional elevation wherein there is utilized one method for securing the bodies 5 to the plates 1 by means of the resilient helical windings 7. The body 5 may be made of any suitable material such as a polyethylene or wood and have therein bored a socket 6. The spring or resilient helical winding 7 may be fixed or engaged with the body by a suitable size adjustment of the socket and the spring. Thus, if the spring is slightly larger in diameter than the socket diameter it may be screwed therein so as to be held by means of the fric tional forces between the periphery of the convolutions and the inner wall of the socket. Thus it will be seen that one end of the spring 7 is fixedly engaged with the spherical body within the socket and that it is adapted to disengage therefrom by oppositely turning the spring. Suitable threads may be employed in the socket where desirable, although in general this "is unnecessary when the body is made of a suitable material such that the frictional forces are adequate for the desired security. The other end of the resilient helical winding 7 is placed in the opening 8 of 'the plate 1 and may be permitted to merely rest therein by gravitational forces where desirable. However, in general it is preferable to adequately secure the body to the plate so that inversion of the apparatus may take place without the bodies falling therefrom. In like manner the opening 8 in plate 1 as shown in Fig. 2 may have a slightly decreased diameter as compared to the diameter of the spring such that insertion of the other end therein will cause fixation thereof by means of the frictional forces between the spring and the sides of the openings 8.

With particular reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, there is shown a side elevation of a body 5 with a spring 7, one end of which is fixedly placed in socket 6 and the other end of which protrudes through-opening 3 of plate 1 to a point 10 below the bottom surface 11 of plate 1. In this embodiment the fixation of the body 5 to the plate 1 is accomplished by means of element 12 which is essentially a washer with a small portion thereof cutout such as shown in Fig. 4. This element is essentially a washer made in the form of a G. washer is placed between the first convolution of the resilient helical Winding below the plate and the plate.

Still another means for securing the bodies to the plates is that shown in Fig. 5. Therein is shown a body 5 having a socket 6 fixedly engaged to the spring 7 and a portion of which is receptively positioned within opening 8 and the other end of which protrudes below the bottom surface 11 of plate 1. The body is secured to the plate by means of cap 13 which has a lip portion 14 circumscribing the inner portion thereof and which engages the spring between convolutions thereof. The cap can be made of any suitable material rigid or resilient as desired. In the case where the cap is rigid it is merely screwed thereon; a resilient cap being preferred for ready placement in an operating position.

Although the spacing of the plates in the crystal representation apparatus may be by any suitable means such as, for example, the employment of the rods and sleeves showed inthe aforementioned patent, it has been found especially desirable to employ a suitable sleeve having sufiicient rigidity to support the elements in combination with the resilient spring type securing mechanism such as shown in Fig. 6. Therein are shown sleeves 2 positioned on either side of plate 1, such as near the periphery thereof as shown in Fig. l. The sleeves are placed in a sleeve end-plate relationship and'hole 15 is shown through which resilient helical winding or spring 16 is inserted. It will be noted that one end of the spring is fixedly engaged to the top sleeve in a manner similar to the securing of the spring in the sockets of the bodies and the other end similarly fixedly positioned within the lower sleeve.

Fig. 7 shows how the attaching mechanism operates when distortion of the apparatus takes place, such as is frequently desirable in actual demonstration of crystal structures.

It will be apparent from the herein disclosure that a new and novel method of attaching bodies representa- -It will be noted that the tive of molecules, atoms and ions to transparent plates of crystal structure representation apparatus of the type described has been devised which is adapted to facilitate ready positioning thereof in the apparatus and/or the securement thereof thereto.

I claim:

1. In combination with a device for representing crystal structure having a plurality of at least three spaced transparent plates each having a plurality of openings therein, the centers of which are geometrically spaced one from the other in and between said plates in a three-dimensional pattern, means for fixedly spacing adjacent plates one from the other comprising a plurality of spacing sleeves positioned between and near the periphery of said plates in sleeve-end to plate relationship, additional openings relatively positioned at the ends of said sleeves in and through said plates, and resilient helical windings, each passing through said additional openings and fixedly engaged with the sleeve positioned on either side of said plate.

2. In combination with a device for representing crystal structure having a plurality of at least three spaced transparent plates, each having a plurality of openings therein, the centers of which are geometrically spaced one from the other in and between said plates in a threedimensional pattern, at least one body representing an atom or molecule of a crystal, said body having a receptive socket therein, a resilient helical winding, a portion of which is receptively positioned within one of saidopenings and one end of which is fixedly engaged with said body within said socket and which is further adapted to disengage therefrom, and means for fixedly spacing adjacent plates one from the other comprising a plurality of spacing sleeves positioned between and near the peripheryof said plates in sleeve-end to plate relationship, additional openings relatively positioned at the ends of said sleeves in and through said plates, and resilient helical windings, each passing through said additional openings and fixedly engaged with the sleeve positioned on either side of said plate.

3. A device for representing crystal structure, comprising at least three spaced transparent plates, each of said plates -having a plurality of openings therein, the centers of thesaid openings being geometrically spaced, one-from the other, inand betweensaid plates, in a threedimensional pattern; at least one body representing an atom or:molec.ule of :a crystal, said body having areceptive socket therein; a resilient, helical-winding, a portion of whichis receptively positioned within-one of said openings, andone end of which is disengageably fixed within said socket in said body, the other end of said resilient helical winding being extended through said opening and being fixedly engageable with respect to the said-plate by means of a thin washer made in the form of a C,

which saidwasher engages one of the convolutions of.

said helical-winding.

ReferencesCited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,716,292 Benjamin Aug. 30, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 479,746 Canada Dec. 25, i 

